1997 Ford Escort Chiccane 5dr Estate 1.6 Zetec from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A practical, but unsurprising utility vehicle

Faults:

The car suffered a very irregular idle. This meant 4 return trips to the dealer who had it checked out and different parts replaced each time it went in. He gave up eventually and had the car sent to a real Ford dealership who traced the fault to a faulty breather valve.

Electrics were another problem, although a minor problem.

The rear wiper started when it felt like it and just wouldn't stop unless we pulled the fuse. The relay was replaced and then it stopped working altogether.

After cleaning the contacts between the rear sill and the tailgate spring loaded connectors, the wiper has been fine.

General Comments:

We bought the car because it looked the part with alloy wheels and tailgate spoiler. And it was black which looked classy. A test drive proved fine, so we parted with our cash.

Our first criticism to the dealer was that the alarm and central locking didn't work. His reply was "It has no alarm OR central locking"

On a 1997 car! No alarm!

A call to the main Ford dealer confirmed this.

Lots of other things too. No rev counter. There is a display which is supposed to show which doors are left open, but that isn't functional on the Chicane.

1997 Ford Escort LX 2.0 S.O.H.C from North America

Summary:

A good little car if you take care of it

Faults:

The day after I bought the car the service engine soon light came on. Nobody could figure out what was wrong with it. I had to have taken the car in at least 10 times. Each time they would reset it, the next day it would come back on.

Just recently the check water light has been on, when it has enough water in it.

It is hard to get it first, third, fifth, and reverse.

The alternater locks up sometimes.

General Comments:

Most of the problems with the car are because of me. I race the poor thing at least 6 or 7 times a day. It really hasn't done that bad.

5th Dec 2004, 15:12

I have the same problem with my escort! The check engine light comes on and goes off for no reason. I did get the check the water light on as well and I found out that I have a very small leak in the radiator. I'm thinking the check engine light comes on because of that same leak.